Posted by On this day 16th October 2009, which is exactly 11 years today, Ghana’s Black Satellites (U-20) won it first and Africa’s first FIFA U-20 World Cup after defeating Brazil 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless game in Cairo, Egypt.
It was only the second U-20 World Cup final to be decided by a penalty shoot-out, and for the Black Satellites, it was third time lucky as they had lost the final in 1993 to Brazil and 2001 to Argentina.
The tournament that year was the 17th edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup and it was hosted in Egypt, only the 3rd time it was hosted on African soil.
Ghana was drawn in Group D with Uruguay, Uzbekistan and England
The Black Satellites managed to place first in the group with 7 points and +5 goals. They defeated Uzbekistan 2-1, England 4-0 and drew 2-2 with Uruguay who placed second in the group with 7 points and +4 goals.
Uzbekistan placed 3rd with a point and -4 goals, whiles England finished bottom of the group with a point and -5 goals.
Ghana in the Round of 16 played South Africa and defeated them 2-1, André Ayew and Dominic Adiyiah grabbed the goals for Ghana, whiles Kermit Erasmus grabbed the face saving goal for South Africa.
The Black Satellites played South Korea in the Semifinals and won the game 3-2. Dominic Adiyiah scored twice, while Rashford Osei scored the other. Park Hee-seong and Kim Dong-sub scored for South Korea.
The Semifinal was against Hungary, Ghana won the game 3-2, Dominic Adiyiah scored twice once again, Abeiku Quansah grabbed the other goal for Ghana. Márkó Futács and Ádám Balajti scored for Hungary.
Ghana met South American champions Brazil in the final and were underdogs for the game played in front of over 67,000 fans at the Cairo International Stadium.
The Black Satellites, who had a man sent off in the 37th minute beat Brazil 4-3 on penalty shootouts after there was no goals in normal time and extra time
Brazil controlled the match from start to finish but poor marksmanship combined with some resolute defending by Ghana ensured there were no goals after 120 minutes.
The game went to penalty shootouts with Ghana winning 4-3. Dede Ayew, Samuel Inkoom, Dominic Adiyiah and Agyemang-Badu Penalty converted their spot kicks, whiles Jonathan Mensah and Bright Addae missed.
Alan Kardec, Giuliano and Douglas Costa scored for Brazil, whiles Josef de Souza, Maicon and Alex Teixeira missed.
Dominic Adiyiah, who scored 8 goals in the tournament won the Golden boot and the Golden ball award.
ON THIS DAY: In 2009, Ghana defeated Brazil on penalties to win the U20 World Cup in Egypt.
To this date they are the first and only ever African Nation to win the tournament. 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/oEbtkIn1W6
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 16, 2019
Ghana’s squad for the tournament:
Goalkeepers
Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals), Robert Dabuo (Wa All Stars), Joseph Addo (Sekondi Hasaacas)
Defenders
Samuel Inkoom (FC Basel), Jonathan Mensah (Free State Stars), Daniel Addo (King Faisal), David Addy (Randers), Ghandi Kassenu (Liberty Professionals), Daniel Opare (Real Madrid), Philip Boampong (Berekum Arsenal), John Benson (ASPIRE Academy), Bright Addae (Wa All Stars)
Midfielders
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese), Opoku Agyemang (Al-Sadd on loan to Al-Wahda), Gladson Awako (Heart of Lions) André Ayew (c) (Marseille on loan to Arles-Avignon), Mohammed Rabiu (Liberty Professionals on loan to Sampdoria)
Forwards
Latif Salifu (Liberty Professionals), Ransford Osei (Maccabi Haifa on loan to FC Twente), Abeiku Quansah (OGC Nice), Dominic Adiyiah (Fredrikstad)
Watch the penalty shootouts in the final below: